The effects of legislative measures for 3-MMC in the Netherlands on drug sample composition and self-reported effects.
Background:
The synthetic cathinone 3-Methylmethcathinone (3-MMC) has been available on the Dutch drug market since 2012. In recent years, the substance was actively promoted by web shops and gained popularity among different target audiences, including young adults. This popularity is in particular attributed to its euphoric and stimulant effects. However, the increase in use was accompanied by an increase in serious adverse-health incidents. After a national risk assessment, 3-MMC was scheduled in the Netherlands in October 2021. Meanwhile, the sale of 3-MMC shifted to unregulated illicit drug markets.
The popularity of 3-MMC and the effects of legislative changes on online and illicit drug markets and their consequences on public health emphasize the need to monitor these New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) market dynamics.
Methods:
The Drug Information and Monitoring System (DIMS), the national drug checking service operating in the Netherlands, received drug samples that were sold as 3-MMC from people who use drugs for laboratory analysis. During the submission, data was gathered on whether the samples were used before submission and if so, queried about the mental, physical and adverse effects. Samples that were analyzed between 2021 and the first half of 2023 were selected for this study.
Results:
Samples submitted to DIMS as 3-MMC increased significantly over the past years (2021 N=108; 2022 N=337; 2023 N=355), but the actual amount of samples that contained 3-MMC after analysis decreased (2021 85%; 2022 35%; 2023 15%). In particular other synthetic cathinones were found in the analysed samples sold as 3-MMC, including 3-CMC (N=234), 2-MMC (N=99), and Dimethylpentylone (N=41). The self-reported effects of these cathinones closely resemble the euphoric and stimulant effects, as well as adverse reactions, as observed with 3-MMC. However, certain effects were more pronounced for one substance in comparison to the other.
Conclusion:
The case of 3-MMC in the Netherlands highlights the added value of drug checking in gaining a detailed understanding of the consequences of a shift to the illicit drug market upon legislative measures and the reported wanted and unwanted effects of other substances that are being used as substitutes.
